Royal Barge rehearsals begin August 17 with river curbs
Ten Royal Barge rehearsals begin August 17, with river traffic restrictions in Bangkok ahead of the November 6 royal ceremony
- The first of ten rehearsals for the 2026 Royal Barge Procession will take place on August 17, ahead of the main ceremony on November 6.
- Temporary navigation controls will be implemented on the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok Noi Canal for the rehearsals on August 17, 20, and 27.
- On these dates, all vessels will be prohibited from using the designated routes from 12:30 pm until the rehearsals conclude.
- The full procession being rehearsed will involve 52 ceremonial vessels and 2,200 personnel from the Royal Thai Navy.
The first rehearsal for Thailand’s 2026 Royal Barge Procession will take place on Monday (August 17), beginning a series of 10 rehearsals on the Chao Phraya River ahead of the royal ceremony on November 6.
Two full-dress rehearsals are scheduled for October 21 and 28. Members of the public and tourists can watch the rehearsals from both banks of the river between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun Ratchawararam, with training sessions due to begin at about 2.30pm.
The procession will form part of His Majesty the King’s journey to present royal Kathin robes at Wat Arun, marking the auspicious celebrations of the fourth-cycle birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on June 3, 2026.
The Royal Thai Navy will deploy 52 ceremonial vessels and 2,200 personnel. Its official 2026 description gives the formation as 1,200 metres long and 90 metres wide, arranged in five lines.
Rehearsal schedule
Ten rehearsals
August 17, 20 and 27
September 3, 8, 17 and 23
October 2, 8 and 15
Two full-dress rehearsals
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 28
Royal ceremony
Friday, November 6
River restrictions for August rehearsals
The Marine Department has announced temporary navigation controls for the rehearsals on August 17, 20 and 27 and has advised river users to plan their journeys and avoid restricted sections.
Chao Phraya River — from Krung Thon Bridge, also known as Sang Hi Bridge, to Phra Pok Klao Bridge
- From 9am, sea-going vessels, cargo vessels and vessels carrying hazardous goods must avoid the route.
- From 12.30pm, all vessels must avoid the route until the rehearsal has finished.
Bangkok Noi Canal — from the mouth of the canal to Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan
- From 12.30pm, all vessels are prohibited from passing until the rehearsal has finished.
Violators face fines of 500–5,000 baht, while boat operators may also have their certificates seized for up to six months.
52 vessels in five-line formation
The Royal Thai Navy’s official formation comprises a central line, two inner lines and two outer lines.
Central line — 10 vessels
- Royal Barge Suphannahong — the principal royal barge for His Majesty the King
- Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX and Royal Barge Anekkachatphutchong — two reserve royal barges
- Royal Barge Anantanakkharat — carrying the royal Kathin robes
- Tang Mo — the inner drum barge used by the procession commander
- E-Luang — the outer drum barge used by the deputy procession commander
- Police Barges 1–3 — three police vessels serving the royal guards
- Saeng 7 — a royal protection vessel
Two inner lines — 14 vessels
Each inner line contains seven vessels, making 14 in total:
- Thong Khwan Fa and Thong Ba Bin — front gate barges leading the formation
- Sua Thayan Chon and Sua Khamron Sin — battle barges
- Eight figurehead barges: Asura Vayuphak, Asura Paksi, Krabi Ran Ron Rap, Krabi Prap Mueang Man, Pali Rang Thawip, Sukhrip Khrong Mueang, Krut Hern Het and Krut Tret Traichak
- Ekachai Hern How and Ekachai Lao Thong — tow barges used to assist royal barges when required
Two outer lines — 28 vessels
- 22 Dang barges, numbered 1–22, forming the forward protective lines
- Six Saeng barges, numbered 1–6, providing royal protection
The Navy’s 2026 preparations cover personnel training, oarsmen’s rehearsals, maintenance of the ceremonial vessels and preparation of piers for the procession.
